I’ve been on hiatus the last few weeks, but I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the amazing run the New Orleans Saints are having this season. I’m not a Saints fan, but you just have to give credit where credit is due. Drew Brees is still looking for the shoe he “lost” while matching against the Giants’ defense last week.Miami gave it the best try I’ve seen so far, but it is hard to compete with a team that makes scoring close to 50 points look easy! I’m not sure if Drew Brees acknowledges it, but by bringing the aura of winning to a town that is still rebuilding from tragedy – he is presenting a very special gift to New Orleans. Winning is contagious and even something as simple as a football performance can inspire resilience.

Giving is also contagious, but instead it inspires love and gratitude. Giving reminds the recipient that they are cared for, but it also reminds the giver of the amazing connection humans are able to have with one another. In my very worst times in life, I could still find ways to give. That act of giving was often the thing that helped me turn a pity party into genuine gratitude for the life experience we get to have here together.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to appreciate all that has been given to us, but it is also a great time to renew a commitment to giving more. For the next 30 days leading up to Thanksgiving, I will be dedicated to maximum gifting. I’m not talking about going to the mall and buying up all the sweaters I see. I’m talking about keeping my eye out for opportunities to give of myself. I’d love it if you took the journey with me.You don’t have to commit to the entire 30 days, but choose what would work best for you. Try a single day, a week, or just a sporadic endeavor. No attempt to give is too small (like a genuine compliment or holding the door open for a stranger) or too big (like ending poverty or striving for world peace). Look for ways to give as much as you can and as often as you can! I will report on my journey through this blog, but you can tell me about yours through email (giftqb@yahoo.com) or the comments section of each entry.

Please pass the word on so this Giving Spree can become highly contagious. I’m trying to rival the Swine Flu! Speaking of Swine Flu, take a minute and go wash your hands. See even that tip is a gift! You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” The Usual Suspects (1995)

In my opinion, boredom is the most dangerous emotion in the human condition. We give the most focus to our decisions prompted by love, jealousy, or even revenge – but boredom is just as volatile. People don’t even seem to notice when their actions are prompted by boredom and that is what makes it so very unpredictable. Because we rarely acknowledge the explosive power of boredom, we rarely manage the emotion with the same temperance and caution that we give emotions like rage, envy, or even euphoria. Think of some of the mistakes you made in your life (the ones you can’t figure out why in the world you made at all) and chances are you were bored. Many things can cure boredom; happiness and fulfillment are definitely good options. However, most people quell the subtle burn of boredom with drama. Drama is seldom positive, but always exciting. Everyone says they don’t want drama, yet they create it in their lives over and over…and over again. Why? Here’s a hint – A LOT of people are bored.

Brett Favre’s first meeting with his old team had almost as much drama as a Super Bowl matchup. It was the kind of story that the media craves and the public loves. I must admit that I was guilty of buying into the drama of last night’s game too! I bought into it so much, that it is the only game I will be covering in this week’s recap. Not often do games live up to all the hype, but this game was absolutely electric. Brett proved that he still “had it” at 39 years old and the Vikings proved that they are a scarily well balanced team (running, passing, offensive line, defense, AND special teams). Now that the dust has settled and my boredom has been quelled with the drama, I have to wonder if that game was really something I should have been celebrating at all. I wanted to see Brett get his revenge on a team that dumped him– but why? Brett was loved in Green Bay and he gave it all away just to prove to people that he still “had it.” Really it is more sad than exciting. In Brett’s first interview after the game, he said that the game didn’t prove anything to him because he already knew he was a great player. Did he? If he already knew he was a great player then why would he trade the adoration and reputation that he spent an entire career building in Green Bay? What was the point if he had nothing to prove to himself? Did he really just have to have a few more snaps or one more season? Hmmm….maybe he was just bored.

I don’t eat meat on Sundays (just a personal choice). What was I thinking giving up my chicken wings on a day packed with football?! This week we are voting on the best wings. Here are my picks – what do you think?

It was a pretty disappointing week for the NFC East. I have talked to numerous fans and nobody really seems happy – even the winners. Which fans do you think should be the most upset?

WASHINGTON REDSKINS:

The Washington Post ran an article on Monday entitled, “The Agony of Victory.” This was referring to the Washington Redskins’ narrow victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Tampa Bay is speculated to be the second worst team in the NFL and Washington was heavily favored to beat them by a large margin. Fans hoped that the Redskins would want to make a statement in this game – due to an embarrassing loss to Tampa Bay in 2008 and the need to improve on their performance from last week. For anyone who saw this game, I don’t have to say much about it. Washington never scored a single touchdown the entire game. It isn’t that they look horrible; it is that they can’t seem to get the job done. Next week they play the absolute worst team in the league. Could they possibly lose to Detroit?

NEW YORK GIANTS:

The Giants are another team that struggled in the red zone. They made several long drives down the field and only to walk away with field goals. This is exactly what you don’t want to see if you are a coach (or a fan)! They also did a lot of passing which isn’t their usual style. Why was the running game so ineffective? Like the Redskins, the Giants also won their game on Sunday night. Still, they are 2-0 so I think their fans should stop all that whining and count their blessings!

DALLAS COWBOYS:

To be totally honest with you, I thought for the most part my Dallas Cowboys looked great on Sunday. They were on fire in the red zone and the Defense did a great job holding the G-men to field goals. They lost the game because of mistakes “they” (i.e. Tony Romo) made and not because they were beaten. So who cares about that? Nobody. If you lose, nobody cares why. Is Dallas a better team than Washington? I definitely think so. Do they have the same record? You better believe it. Romo better clean up his act pronto!

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES:

Only Philly gave us an example of a traditional “ass-whopping” this week. That is when you are seriously outmatched and you go out on the filed and make a fool of yourself. New Orleans ran all over their defense and without McNabb, Philly didn’t have the horsepower to compete offensively. When will McNabb be back? Will he be at peak performance? Would Vick have done any better if he could have played? Philly fans are seriously worried.

I know I’m mainly focusing on the NFC East teams this week, but I need to give a quick “shot-out” to Brett Favreand Mark Sanchez. At different ends of the career spectrum, they both showed they could get the job done. It gave me something to admire in a week with many disappointments.

QB TIP: When was the last time you bought a gift for your “biggest fan”? If you are giving it for no reason, any gift (and I do mean any gift) should please your mother. You can keep it as simple as flowers, a card, or even just an unsolicited phone call. You will never get more “bang-for-the-buck” than when gifting your mom. A little bit goes a LONG way. You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.

“They are who we thought they were!” I sometimes have to remind myself that people usually turn out to be EXACTLY who we thought they were. Kanye West proved that in his not-so-shocking stunt at the VMAs this weekend, where he simply reminded us that he is the same unstable egomaniac he always was. Really, why is everyone so surprised?!

I can’t tell you how many fantasy football articles pointed out how unlikely it is that Drew Brees (NOR)orAdrian Peterson (MIN) would put up the kind of big numbers they had in previous years. I’m not sure what their scoring rules are, but in my league six touchdowns for a QB is a good thing. Actually, hold on let me check my scoring rules – ok turns out 180 yards and three touchdowns is pretty dang good for a running back too!

Week One was filled with many things I could have seen coming, but these are a few more of my favorites.

-Carson Palmer (CIN): He definitely is who I thought he was! Watching him play was like running into your ex that dumped you, just to find that he put on 60 pounds and is now living out of his car. Boy, did I dodge a bullet by swearing off this guy!

-Donovan McNabb (PHI): This guy gets hurt more that my five-year-old riding without his training wheels. I knew Vick had hit a gold mine in Philly. I could not imagine that McNabb would stay healthy two seasons in a row. Did that fool actually break a rib in Week One? Yes, he did. We’ll see how long he is “down and out” in coming games.

-Jay Cutler (CHI):I tried to warn all the Washington fans not to lust after Cutler. He was no better than Campbell in my opinion and would sorely disappoint. All I can say is – when you’re right; you’re right. Who gets a new franchise QB just to watch them throw four interceptions in the first game? Only in Chicago, baby!

-Tom Brady (NWE): I think I saw Tom Brady throw a game winning (perfect) TD pass on Monday Night Football. If I didn’t know better, I would think he was almost as good as – Tom Brady. He may not be back to his original form, but he is definitely still “who I thought he was.”

What did you see this week? The floor is open…leave it in the comments.

WEEK ONE QB TIP: Want to tell someone who loves you that you “are who they thought you were?” If you don’t have the nerve to say it yourself – look for the long rectangular cards in Hallmark. They have lots of words on them and are guaranteed to make most women cry. All you have to do is sign your name! You’re the quarterback; I’m just here to protect you.